Flea control

[cherish]

Hi All,
Yesterdays warm, beautiful weather got me thinking about flea season....
After learning more about the popular over the counter monthly application products, I decided no way will I use them on my dogs! Last year we were successful in keeping the fleas off with regular bathing, short grass, no bark dust, and fresh garlic in their diets (this a bit of a controversial ingredient, so learn more before adding it to your dogs diet)... However, I would love to hear any other success stories. Please post all suggestions!
Thanks,
Cherish, Naaki, and Kota

[Laurie]

Have you ever tried diatomaceous earth? it can be messy but effective. Also, Halo makes a flea control product that is a combination of essential oils, and it can also work well.

Laurie

[Jennifer]

focus on whatever you do to boost the immune system. this will help keep the bugs off.

some say that b-vitamins (naturally occuring in Brewer's Yeast) can ward off fleas. just add it to the diet. perhaps garlic also.

Castor & Pollux make an herbal flea collar. Cloud Star's Buddy Wash has a flea control spray that can be used just before an outing.

Most of the fleas are found in the environment and not on the animal, I've heard good things about pyrethrum powder. vacuum and wash the dog's bedding and blankets in hot water regularly.

Keep a flea comb handy to check for fleas everyday, and kill them in soapy water.

[cherish]

These are great suggestions... I'd love to see lots more, with the hope that everyone will try a natural approach before the chemicals. Thanks!

[Laurie]

well said! absolutely the 3-pronged approach. coming from Miami, you really know your stuff. watch out, fleas & ticks!

[Rubi]

This is all such great advice! I'm going to give it a shot on my pets, and pass it along to friends, family and clients! Thanks you guys!

[Rubi]

HI Mary,
How frequently would you recommend doing the three pronged approach?
Thanks... Rubi

[Hamish]

Hi there - I posted under the Q&A forum about this topic and someone referred me to this discussion. I hadn't realized how harmful the monthly flea stuff that the vet sells is. I just couldn't figure out why my normally fearless dog always runs when it's flea drop time. Then recently I accidentally splashed some on my hand and it burned! No wonder! (poor little guy!) SO no more of that stuff!

I was wondering if anybody has used Earth Animal's Internal Powder (yeast, garlic, B vitamins)? I just ordered some from Planet Dog's site and thought Hamish would give that a try. Just curious if anybody has had luck with it? I figure if nothing else it sounds like a healthy supplement to add to his food.